Kraus Corset Factory

The Kraus Corset Factory is a three-story brick building located at the intersection of Roosevelt Drive and Third Street in Derby. Its facade displays period details typical of late-1800s industrial architecture, including segmented-arch windows, stone window sills, and shed-roof dormers.

The building was constructed in 1879 by Sidney Downs and became the heart of Derby's corset production under Leopold Kraus' ownership. An additional wing was added around 1910, and the structure survived beyond the industry's decline that began in the late 1800s.

The factory once anchored the city's corset-making industry and shaped the lives of workers and their families who depended on this trade. Today it stands as a reminder of how one craft defined a whole community's identity and economy.

The building is now divided into residential units known as Sterling-Rowe Apartments, which keeps the structure accessible from the street for visitors. The prominent corner location makes it easy to find and view the exterior architecture.

This is the last major building that remains from Derby's corset-making era, making it a rare survival from an industry that once defined the city. Its continued existence offers a tangible link to how factories of that time were designed and built.

Location: Connecticut

GPS coordinates: 41.32028,-73.09139

Latest update: December 14, 2025 15:00